As we have told you all so many times, we love working with all of our clients and have been so blessed in our 7+ years to have never had a true “Bridezilla.” And although we love all of our Brides and Grooms, every once and a while a couple comes along that we can’t let go of even after the wedding and continue to call our friends. We are proud to say our recent couple Jennifer and Eliu are just that!
From the first moment I met Jenn at a Starbucks in Montclair NJ, I knew we would have a great relationship. She was crazy busy ~ working, planning a wedding and finishing a degree….ahhh a multitasker, I can truly relate! But what I noticed about Jenn that day that made me know she was an extra special person was the way she spoke about her spirituality, her friends, her family and especially the true love of her life and soul mate Eliu. We clicked right away and thus began the year+ journey to plan Jenn and Eliu’s fabulous Destination Wedding in the beautiful Dominican Republic.
The wedding was announced by gorgeous invitations designed by The Finishing Touch Event Design, which incorporated Jenn’s love of peacocks and indigenous culture. The invitation was printed with peacock feather accents and a design of two peacocks kissing, which resembled the shape of a heart. Marigold and Allspice papers were layered with Bamboo Woven paper to give the invitation depth and texture. The invitation was wrapped up in a Bronze pocket jacket and sealed with a layered tag featured a blind embossed heart design that featured their initials. I flew into Punta Cana, DR on Thursday April 30th ~ I love my job! When I arrived at the beautiful Paradisus Palma Real resort I myself became excited for the guests to start arriving. I checked into my beautiful room at the Reserve section of the resort and got to work meeting with the onsite Wedding staff and other vendors in the area. One job that we did not have to take care of this time was delivery of gift bags to the guests’ rooms. Instead we had sent all the guests a wonderful basket prior to their leaving the US with all the exciting news of the upcoming weekend and of course a few needed supplies; hangover kit, towel, water bottle, etc. The baskets and weekend wedding guides were the creation of the Finishing Touch Event Design ((http://www.thefinishingtouchevents.com/) team and were a huge hit! Jenn and Eliu along with most of their guests arrived on Friday and the fun began. We kicked off the weekend with a “Bienvenidos Gathering” (Welcome Drinks) at the lobby bar and it was clear right away that the weekend was going to be a blast for all involved. The group stayed at the bar long after I excused myself but were up on the beach bright and early the next day. Saturday was filled with an amazing excursion for many guests to swim with the Dolphins and Sting Rays. Although I hear the water was pretty chilly, all had a wonderful time and got some amazing pictures. The group then came racing back for the rehearsal on the beach ~ um and yea they were racing! Saturday night, the group gathered for the Rehearsal Dinner at one of the resort’s many wonderful restaurants, Bana Bistro, where guests dined on Asian Fusion fare served family style around the table. It was during this dinner that Jenn and Eliu shared a very special favor with all of their guests. Our design team had created a photo book which featured all of the guests who were in attendance at the wedding along with a write up by the Bride and Groom on why each guest was so important to them and what it meant for them to be sharing in their wedding celebration. It was just another one of those special personal touches that truly exemplified them.
And finally after all the planning and preparation, it was the wedding day! In my time as a Wedding Consultant, I have seen and been touched by many wedding ceremonies but none more than the one I witnessed on Naos Beach at dusk. Performed by one of Jenn’s closest friends, the ceremony was a mix of spirituality and culture that brought tears to not only the eyes of those in the wedding party but all in attendance including myself and the crowd that had gathered around to watch the entire 45 minutes. Jenn’s brother also added a special touch by providing all the music, played on his saxophone. We often tell Brides and Grooms to remember that although they are throwing a great party the importance of the day is found at that moment when they become man and wife, and this was certainly not lost on Jenn and Eliu.
But party they did once the ceremony concluded. Guests started the festivities with drinks at the Ciel Sky Bar before being ushered back to Naos beach where they were welcomed by the designs Jenn and our team had worked on for so long. Brilliant Fire Orange linens were atop tables covered with white orchids and peacock feathers ~ Jenn’s favorite! The tented structures we had designed were up lit with a warm orange glow. We also incorporated many special touches such as customized table numbers and seating cards, all matching the brilliant design of the Stationary created by our design team.
Guests danced the night away to a live Salsa band and lively music spun by local DJ, Sueno Caribe. There was also a special surprise photomontage created showing Jenn and Eliu’s lives, which was shared on a large movie screen set up just off of the dance floor on the beach. After the Wedding, the party continued in the resort’s nightclub until the wee hours!
Leaving the Dominican, I was truly sad to say goodbye to Jenn and Eliu’s friends and family who I have grown so close to over the planning process and especially during the weekend festivities. A special thank you again to Jim and Maria Mullan and Obed and Linda Gonzalez for allowing us to be involved in such a special day for their children. I will never forget the experience of working with all of them to bring together such an amazing day!
Thank you again to the wonderful vendor team, both here and in the DR, that helped make the day perfect.
Photos by Photo Souvenir
Happy Planning,
Candice
Thank you Candice, Priscilla and the Team at the Finishing Touch Event Planning. You have all been above and beyond amazing! This blog is amazing and we are so touched and loved. Thank you Thank you for all of your support and time and extra energy!
You are all a blessing.
Love, Eliu & Jenny
Posted by: Jennifer Mullan-Gonzalez | August 07, 2009 at 03:03 PM
I must say i never really thought of having a destination wedding, but after seeing the amazing and immaculate job that finishing touch did on El and Jenn's wedding...I would be stoked to have one...In the future when Melanie and I get married I hope we can have Candice and her staff be a part of it....CANDICE EVERYTHING WAS STELLAR...THANKS
Posted by: Pete "The Bestest Man" Acevedo | August 28, 2009 at 04:35 PM
wow! a beautiful event! Found you through Style Me Pretty
Posted by: Katy | September 11, 2009 at 09:30 PM
Hi,
I just wanted to say that I love your blog.
As a bride-to-be on a tight budget, I recently discovered an online bridal jewelry store called GlamForLess.com.
Though their website is plain and simple, I found some great deals on jewelry sets for me and my bridesmaids.
I think other readers on a tight budget may also find GlamForLess.com to be helpful.
You may want to check them out at http://www.glamforless.com/ and inform other readers about it.
Keep up the good work.
Best regards,
Lisa Bloom
Posted by: Bridal jewelry, Wedding jewelry sets, Bridesmaid jewelry, Wedding jewelry sets, Bridesmaid Jewelry gifts | September 17, 2009 at 09:20 AM